[Recurrent aseptic meningitis associated with primary biliary cirrhosis]

Rev Neurol (Paris). 2005 Jan;161(1):87-91. doi: 10.1016/s0035-3787(05)84979-3.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Introduction: The etiological diagnosis of recurrent aseptic meningitis often requires difficult investigations. We report a case of recurrent aseptic meningitis associated with a primary biliary cirrhosis.

Case report: A 37-year-old woman presented four recurrences of isolated meningitic syndrome with fever. Intravenous steroid treatment was effective. Investigations revealed an old right tympano-labyrinthine fracture with, on MRI, an abnormal enhancement of the posterior wall of the internal auditory canal. Serum tests were also significantly positive for antimitochondria antibodies subtype M2.

Conclusion: Definitive diagnosis was recurrent puriform aseptic meningitis secondary to an inflammatory non-septic ears-nose-throat focus in a latent autoimmune context of primary biliary cirrhosis. To our knowledge, this is the first case reported in literature.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Autoantibodies
  • Autoimmune Diseases / complications*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / pathology
  • Brain / pathology
  • Ear Canal / pathology
  • Ear, Inner / injuries
  • Ear, Inner / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / complications*
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / pathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Meningitis, Aseptic / etiology*
  • Meningitis, Aseptic / pathology
  • Mitochondria / immunology
  • Recurrence

Substances

  • Autoantibodies